How does a grease trap work?"
A grease trap works by slowing down the flow of warm/hot greasy water and allowing it to cool. As the water cools, the grease and oil separate and float to the top of the grease trap. The cooler water (less grease) continues to flow down the pipe to the sewer. The grease is actually trapped by baffles, which cover the inlet and outlet of the tank, preventing grease from flowing out of the trap.

THE NEW GREASE GRABBER CONCENTRATE

Liquid Bacteria/Enzyme Concentrate

PRODUCT: Grease GrabberCONCENTRATE is a liquid bacteria and enzyme with odor counteractants. Grease GrabberCONCENTRATE is an advanced blend of enzymes and selected natural bacteria. This environmentally sound and total biodegradable product, when added into a typical drain system, will break the organic material into water soluble nutrients. The released nutrients are digested by the select bacteria which multiply and produce more enzymes to continue cleaning the entire waste system.

FEATURES:

Specially stabilized and blended enzymes for organic waste digestion
Enzyme producing bacteria
Environmentally sound, biodegradable components for broader activity spectrum
Concentrated for freight savingsPleasant citrus smell, but no surfactants in the product, so the grease will not harden down-line
PURPOSE: As a concentrated source of hydrolytic (degrading) enzymes capable of digesting the principle constituents of waste produced by:

AVANTAGES: Grease Grabbera liquid, unlike a dry product, begins working instantly and it can be easily dispensed into the drain using a timed, electric or battery opeated Metering Pump. We have listed a Metering Pump in our Shopping Cart that works well in such applications.

Free of caustics, it will not damage plastic pipes or plumbing fixtures.

Works to solubilize grease, fats, oils, starches, proteins, and cellulose; thus helping to digest these organic waste materials. This may prevent them from forming accumulations and impediments in drain systems, grease traps, lift stations, wet wells, and other types of waste water conveyance and treatment systems. Works throughout pH range of 5.5 to 9.0. Optimal pH range is in 6.5 - 7.5 range. Stable for up to 1 year when stored as directed. Optimal temperature range is between 50°F to 140°F.

Grease TrapsFor each 1,000-1,500 gallon (3,785 liters) trap, 2.5 gallons of Grease Grabber (9.46 liters) over a 30 day period. Approximately 9 ounces are metered in daily. An alternative dosage is as follows: INITIAL: 4 liters of water to flush the system. 4 liters of nutrient/water mix. 4 liters of Grease Grabber poured down the drain leading to the grease trap. 4 liters of water down the drain. EVERYDAY: 140 ml of Grease Grabber down the drain. 700 ml of water to flush the drain. When starting with the treatments, it is better if the trap has just been pumped. Also, avoid using any bleach or other chemicals that could be flushed down the drain and kill the microbes.

The following is from our microbiologist regarding questions posed by our customer in Costa Rica, Mr. Jorge Ramirez of Lavatanq Ramirez SA:

The metabolism of grease is accomplished by enzymes that are produced by the various microbes contained in Grease Grabber and FC-1. At each step in the digestion process different enzymes are produced by the microbes, this is why live microbes are the only way to truly digest grease in the grease traps.

The general pathway for grease metabolism (digestion) goes as follows: grease i.e. triglycerides are broken down by the enzyme lipase into glycerol, fatty acids and alcohol (this step requires oxygen), then to fatty acids and aldehyde, then to more basic fatty acids, then into CO2, water and simple short chained fatty acids (dead bacteria). Carbon dioxide and water are the ultimate fate of the metabolism of grease by microbes.

Different enzymes are required at each step of this break-down process. Because the grease is being destroyed, it will not reform down-stream in the sewer lines. Soaps and solvent products simply dissolve the grease and then it reforms down the sewer lines and causes blockages. This will not happen in a properly functioning grease trap using the microbial product Grease Grabber or FC-1.

The microbes in Grease Grabber and FC-1 can take temperatures up to 70 to 80 degrees C. Therefore there should be no problem with the hot water from the dishwasher.

Since some of the grease traps in Costa Rica also have human waste flowing into them, it is not suprising that fecal coliforms exist in the outflow water leaving the trap. When the Tony Roma's started using FC-1 and Grease Grabber, the pH in the trap increased from approximately 4.2 before treatments to 6.8 after. This increase in pH is a very good thing. Basically grease traps should be in the range of 6 pH to 9 pH for optimum digestion of grease. By raising the pH in the trap more of the fecal coliforms will survive. Contiuned use of FC-1 or Grease Grabber will cause the coliform levels to drop because the microbes and Grease Grabber will out compete the coliforms. This process is called competitive inhibition.

The effulent leaving the grease trap will not cause foaming, or any adverse reactions at wastewater treatment plants. In fact using FC-1 or Grease Grabber will enhance the function of wastewater treatment plants by supplying additional beneficial microbes.